PM Modi’s 25‑Year Governance Journey: From Gujarat Model to National Strategy

India Today’s latest video marks the 25th anniversary of Narendra Modi’s tenure in public office, tracing his evolution from Gujarat chief minister in 2001 to the nation’s prime minister in 2026. The documentary frames his governance as a composite of economic reforms, welfare programmes, digital initiatives, infrastructure drives, security policies and an assertive foreign policy. While celebrating achievements, the report also flags ongoing debates about inequality and political polarisation. As a health‑and‑science reporter for Global1.News, I examine how each pillar of the Modi model interacts with India’s policy architecture, especially the ministries and institutions that shape public health, education, technology and defence.

Economic Reforms and the “Make in India” Drive

The video highlights Modi’s push for a market‑oriented economy, foregrounding the “Make in India” campaign that seeks to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. This aligns with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s recent incentives for domestic production, a strategy that has been reinforced by the Finance Ministry’s fiscal policies. While the report does not provide specific growth figures, it underscores a shift towards private sector participation and foreign direct investment, echoing the broader liberalisation agenda launched in the early 2000s.

For Indian students of economics and business, the emphasis on manufacturing translates into expanded curricula at IITs and IIMs, where new courses on supply‑chain resilience and advanced manufacturing are being introduced. The Ministry of Education has partnered with industry bodies to embed practical training in engineering programmes, preparing graduates for jobs in sectors targeted by the “Make in India” thrust.

From a health perspective, the economic uplift promised by the reforms is expected to increase fiscal space for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Greater tax revenues can support the expansion of public hospitals and the scaling up of schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, which the video cites as a flagship welfare programme under Modi’s tenure.

Welfare Schemes and Social Safety Nets

The documentary foregrounds several flagship welfare initiatives, notably the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑Kisan) and Ayushman Bharat. The former provides direct cash transfers to small and marginal farmers, while the latter offers health insurance coverage to millions of low‑income families. Both schemes are administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Ministry of Health, respectively, and rely on digital platforms for disbursement.

In the health sector, Ayushman Bharat has become a cornerstone of universal health coverage, linking public and private hospitals through a centrally managed portal. The National Health Authority, created under the Ministry of Health, oversees enrolment and claim processing, using data analytics to monitor utilisation patterns. This digital backbone also facilitates real‑time monitoring of disease outbreaks, a capability that proved valuable during the COVID‑19 resurgence of 2024‑25.

Education and skill development intersect with welfare through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, which runs training programmes for beneficiaries of PM‑Kisan and other schemes. By equipping farmers with modern agricultural techniques and digital literacy, the government aims to reduce rural distress and curb migration to urban centres, a factor that has long influenced regional inequality debates.

Digital Transformation and the UPI Ecosystem

Digitalisation is a recurring theme in the India Today video, with particular emphasis on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a catalyst for financial inclusion. Launched under the aegis of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, UPI enables instant, low‑cost transactions across smartphones, underpinning the cash‑less economy envisioned by the Modi administration.

The integration of UPI with welfare disbursements, such as PM‑Kisan payments, illustrates the convergence of digital finance and social policy. By linking beneficiaries’ bank accounts to mobile numbers, the government reduces leakages and enhances transparency. This model also informs the rollout of digital health records, where the Ministry of Health collaborates with the National Digital Health Mission to create a unified patient identifier.

For the tech sector, the emphasis on digital infrastructure has spurred growth in fintech startups, many of which are incubated in IIT‑backed innovation hubs. The Department of Science and Technology has earmarked grants for research in blockchain and secure data exchange, technologies that could further safeguard health data and financial transactions.

Infrastructure Expansion and Regional Connectivity

Infrastructure development features prominently in the video, showcasing highway expansions, airport upgrades and the development of logistics corridors. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, together with state governments, has overseen the construction of new expressways that link major economic zones, facilitating smoother movement of goods and passengers.

Railway modernization, driven by the Ministry of Railways, includes the introduction of high‑speed corridors and electrified routes, reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency. These projects dovetail with the government’s climate commitments, as electrified railways lower reliance on diesel and align with renewable energy targets set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Infrastructure upgrades also have health implications. Faster road and rail connectivity enables quicker transport of medical supplies and emergency evacuation of patients from remote areas to tertiary care centres such as AIIMS and regional medical colleges. The Ministry of Health, in coordination with state health departments, has leveraged these logistics improvements to expand the reach of vaccination drives and disease surveillance programmes.

National Security and Defence Modernisation

The video outlines Modi’s focus on national security, citing initiatives that strengthen defence capabilities and border management. The Ministry of Defence, in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has pursued indigenous development of weapons systems, a policy echoing the broader “Make in India” ethos.

Modernisation efforts include the induction of advanced fighter aircraft, naval vessels and missile systems, alongside the expansion of the Indian Armed Forces’ cyber‑warfare units. The Ministry of Home Affairs has concurrently enhanced internal security through the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies and the strengthening of the National Investigation Agency.

From a health security standpoint, the Ministry of Health collaborates with the Ministry of Defence to ensure medical readiness for armed forces, including the establishment of field hospitals and trauma care units. The pandemic experience highlighted the need for coordinated health logistics, prompting joint exercises that test the rapid deployment of medical supplies in crisis scenarios.

Foreign Policy and Global Outreach

Modi’s foreign policy, as portrayed in the video, emphasizes proactive engagement with major economies, participation in multilateral forums and the promotion of India’s strategic interests abroad. The Ministry of External Affairs has pursued a “Act East” policy, deepening ties with Southeast Asian nations, while also strengthening partnerships with the United States, European Union and Gulf states.

Economic diplomacy under this framework supports the export of Indian pharmaceuticals, a sector overseen by the Ministry of Commerce and regulated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. Indian generic drug manufacturers have leveraged diplomatic channels to secure market access, contributing to global health security by supplying affordable medicines.

Educational exchanges have been a hallmark of the outreach, with scholarships and research collaborations facilitated by the Ministry of Education and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Indian students benefit from increased opportunities to study abroad and return with expertise that feeds into domestic innovation ecosystems, particularly in biotechnology and information technology.

Overall, the India Today documentary paints a portrait of a governance model that intertwines economic liberalisation, welfare expansion, digital innovation, infrastructure growth, security strengthening and diplomatic activism. While the video celebrates milestones, it also alludes to criticisms regarding rising inequality and heightened political polarisation. For policymakers, scholars and citizens, the challenge lies in translating the aspirational narrative into inclusive outcomes that sustain health, education and prosperity for all Indians.

By Dr. Raj Patel, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: India Today video report (07 October 2026); India Today; Global1.News